Sources: Robinson Cano Seeking 10 Year, $305 Million Contract
By Dan Jenkins
It's no secret that the Tigers are not shy when it comes to dishing out money for free agents. Over the last three years, Mike Ilitch and the Tigers have spent over $375 million in total salary on Prince Fielder, Anibal Sanchez, Torii Hunter, and Victor Martinez.
Sources on Thursday told ESPN's Buster Olney that Robinson Cano, all-star second baseman for the New York Yankees, is asking for a record setting contract at the rate of 10 years and $305 million, which would be the largest of all time.
Our @Buster_ESPN reporting that according to sources, Robinson Cano is seeking a 10-yr $305M contract this offseason..
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) September 26, 2013
In August, Olney listed the Tigers, in his blog, as the number one team that would be targeting Cano in the coming offseason. His reasoning:
1. Detroit Tigers
Owner Mike Ilitch is aggressive and wants to win a championship, and while the team's priority must soon be about signing Miguel Cabrera to his next contract, Ilitch has shown he's willing to expand his budget.
Up until the Tigers acquired Omar Infante at the trade deadline in 2012, the team had sported nine different players at second base since losing Placido Polanco after the 2009 season. Infante will be a free agent after his contract expires at the end of this year's playoffs.
Cano leads the Yankees this season with a .315 batting average, 27 home runs, 106 RBIs, a .903 OPS, and a 6.9 WAR. In nine seasons with the Yankees, Cano holds Yankees second baseman all-time records with a .309 average, 374 doubles, 204 home runs, and an .860 OPS.
The second baseman will turn 31 year old at the end of October, which would put him at 41 at the end of this potential contract. Cano has made it clear that he will take some time after the season ends to spend time with his family and make a decision that is in his best interest.
